Ver. 1. In the first year of Darius,] i.e., Of Darius Priseus, who, together with Cyrus the Persian, took Babylon, and with it the kingdom or monarchy of the Chaldeans, (Daniel 5:31) by the consent of Cyrus, who married his daughter, and had the kingdom of Media with her for a dowry, after Darius’ death, as Xenophon testifieth. The son of Ahasuerus.] Called Cyaxares by the Greek historians. Both these names signify a great prince, an emperor; like as now we say the Great Turk, the Great Cham of Cacaia, &c. Cyrop., lib. viii.
Ver. 2. I Daniel understood by books.] Consideravi in libris. Daniel was a great student in the Scriptures, and well knew that there was no readier way to speed in heaven than by putting the promises in suit. The like also was done by Jacob; (Genesis 32:9,12) [See Trapp on “Ge 32:9”] [See Trapp on “Ge 32:12”] (2 Samuel 7:19,25) by Eliah, (1 Kings 18:42-44) and others. If we speak in our prayers no otherwise than the Lord doth in his promises, there shall be a sweet concert of voice, begun by the Spirit in the promises, seconded in the spirit of faith by the saints’ prayers, and answered by God in his gracious providences. Daniel here took this course; and had not only what he begged, but a revelation concerning the Lord Christ beyond expectation.
Ver. 3. And I set my face unto the Lord God,] i.e., Toward the habitation of his holiness at Jerusalem, but especially in heaven. I looked up unto the hills from whence I looked for help. This Daniel did daily, (Daniel 6:10) but now with more than ordinary intention and devotion he presenteth δεησις ενεργουμενη, an inwrought prayer (as St James calleth it, James 5:16), edged with fasting and downright humiliation. He doubteth not thereby to set God to work, as David did (Psalms 119:126) He knew that a long look toward God speedeth, (Psalms 34:4,5 Jonah 2:4 7) how much more an extraordinary prayer!
Ver. 4. And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession.] The saints themselves, when they sin against God, are suspended from the covenant; hence it is their custom when they seek the Lord for any special mercy, to begin with humble confessions, as doth David, Ezra, Daniel. O Lord, the great and dreadful God.] It is good in the beginnings of our prayers to propound God to ourselves under such attributes and spiritual notions as wherein we may see the very thing we pray for. Haec est ars orandi et mendicandi.
Ver. 5. We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled.] Mark how full in the mouth the good prophet is, and how he exaggerateth, confessing against himself and his people, laying on load. Good men extenuate not their offences; every sin swelleth as a toad in their eyes.
Ver. 6. Neither have we hearkened.] Sins of omission are in a special manner to be lamented in prayer; (Jeremiah 9:1,10,13) for as omission of diet breedeth diseases, so of duties.
Ver. 7. O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee.] Let God be justified in all his judgments; say of him as in Deuteronomy 32:4; -“A God of truth, and without iniquity; just and right is he.” But unto us confusion of faces] While we look upon flagitia aeque ac flagella nostra, our sins and miseries, we cannot but blush and bleed before thee. Deo da claritatem, tibi humilitatem. -Aug.
Ver. 8. O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face.] The same again is acknowledged, not without a special emphasis, q.d., We are extremely abashed and abased to the utmost.
Ver. 9. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses.] Matchless mercies, pardons ready prepared for poor penitents, not for proud Pharisees, such as Bellarmine was, if at least it be true that is reported of him, that when the priest came to absolve him, he could not remember any particular sin to confess, till he went back in his thoughts as far as his youth. Vae hominum vitae quantumvis laudabili, saith an ancient: Woe to the best, unless they may find mercy with the Lord. And Fuligat telleth us that Bellarmine, when he came to die indeed, begged of God to reckon him among his saints, non aestimator meriti, sed veniae largitor, not weighing his merits, but pardoning his offences.
Ver. 10. Neither have we obeyed.] See on Daniel 9:6. The voice of the Lord our God] It is the Lord who speaketh in and by his ministers. This because men either know not or weigh not, they run another way when God calleth to them, as young Samuel did. (1 Samuel 3:5)
Ver. 11. Yea, all Israel.] There is a general defection; the whole body of Israel hath deeply revolted, a rabble of rebels have taken up arms against heaven, even a giant-like generation. Therefore the curse.] Confirmed by oath, by adjuration, and execration. Is poured upon us.] As by whole pailfuls. The Vulgate hath it, Stillavit super nos maledictio, The curse hath dropped upon us. There may be much poison in little drops howsoever. Because we have sinned against him.] This he hath never done with, but still holdeth his finger on this sore, as his greatest grievance.